Lakers point guard Steve Blake spent a few minutes with reporters after a workout on Thursday afternoon, the day before the start of training camps across the NBA. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: On what he’s looking to do this season:
Blake: Just be better in every aspect. It will be a different system, so maybe I’ll be able to be a little more successful. Just be productive, whether it’s getting assists, shooting, defensively, just be better.

Q: On why he might be more successful in Brown’s system:
Blake: It’s a more traditional point guard role. You get the ball in your hands, get to push it a little bit more and be a little more creative.

Q: On figuring out the balance of attacking himself with all the other offensive options on the roster:
Blake: Of course we have great scorers that need the ball in their hands, and that’s my job as a point guard to create for them, get them the ball in situations where they can be successful.

Q: On putting some muscle on:
Blake: I gained a little muscle and strength. I had a lot of time to do that. It’s not like you’re going to see major changes from me, because I have a body type that makes it hard to gain a lot of weight, but physically I feel good. I definitely put the work in this summer.

Q: On his role:
Blake: I’m just going to try to be the best player I can be. I’m not going out there to try to win a starting job or anything like that. Everyone on this team is my teammate, so I’m not here to try to show them up or beat them. I just want our team to be better. Whether it’s coming off the bench again, fine. Starting, great. It’s all about us winning a championship this year.

Q: On not shooting as well last season:
Blake: Just get more shots up and come into the season with confidence.

Q: On the benefit of having a year in L.A. already with his teammates:
Blake: It helps out a lot. My most successful years have been coming back after playing with guys for a year, knowing where they like the ball, where they pass the ball out of and where I can be open for them. That familiarity is big.

Q: On the shortened/compressed schedule:
Blake: It’s going to be a grind. Non stop. It’s important for everyone to really be mentally focused and willing to rest their bodies when they have the opportunities, from eating right to getting to bed on time. All the things you tell your kids.

Q: On if the long layoff affected his preparation physically:
Blake: I was going hard the whole summer after resting (just after) the season. I probably kept myself conditioning wise at about 85 percent, and as soon as we found out it was time to go, you push yourself to try and get to 110 percent.

Q: On being mad about how 2010-11 ended:
Blake: It’s still with me … I don’t think that goes away until you finish the season, this year, right. It’s always in the back of your mind that you have something to prove.